World champions in freediving unite their efforts to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs

Ocean Quest Global is proud to announce that three freediving champions and ocean lovers have joined its campaign as ambassadors to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs using freediving techniques (see previous post for more information on the campaign).

William Trubridge (New Zealand / United Kingdom)

In 2005 William Trubridge was the first freediver to dive at Dean’s Blue Hole, now recognised as the world’s premier freediving venue, and site of the annual Vertical Blue event. There he broke his first world record in the discipline of CNF (Constant Weight No Fins) in April 2007, diving to 81m. Since then he has broken this record multiple times. In 2010 he became the first human to descend to 100m (330 feet) in CNF during Project Hector, an event aimed at bringing awareness to the plight of New Zealand’s critically endangered Hector’s and Maui’s Dolphins species.

In July 2016 he furthered this record to 102m (334 feet) as part of the Steinlager “Born to Defy” project, which was broadcast live to New Zealand television.

Guillaume Néry (France)

Guillaume Néry is a freediving champion, specialised in deep diving. With just one breath, he can dive to -125m below the water’s surface. As a multiple world record holder and world champion, Guillaume’s goals go well beyond the simple realm of sport. With a perfect combination of aesthetics, performance, films and exploration, Guillaume practices his discipline like an art form, it has become his way of life.

Julie Gautier (France)

Julie Gautier is an underwater author and director as well as a former national record holder in freediving. Based in Nice (France) since the age 26, she started creating artistic underwater videos that bring a new look on the marine world with her partner, Guillaume Néry. Their strength comes from using freediving to work on each side of the camera. Being completely self taught, she draws inspiration from dance, comics and cinema.

Today, Julie and Guillaume are working under their own label « Les Films Engloutis ».